advice
- Thread starter Dodgers
- Start date
Dodgers...Be carefull with letting your pup chew on those really hard beef bones once he has his Permanent teath! It can grind them down or break them. This can then lead to health problems and if you where going to show him a German Shepherd will be judged with the teeth in mind. I feel as though Eukanuba is a great pet food! Iams is good as well. Renee and I do not agree on dog foods at all! I have fed these foods for years and have not had any health problems with my dogs relating to food! I would start with the Euk or Iams puppy for Large breeds. It is specially formulated for larger breeds since they tend to grow so quickly it aids in slowing the growth and stretching the growth out over a longer period. Large breeds need to be fed puppy for 18-24 months. Then switch to an adult maintenece or performance depending on what you do with your puppy. I would feed 3-4 times a day at least for a while. Since I have so many dogs I feed my puppies in crates or kennels so they can "dine" and not scarf it down. If he is your only dog and you can get away with leaving the food down then I would free feed him just make sure its fresh 
If he doesn't want to eat plain dog food then cook up some chicken thighs or whatever is cheapest and add some rice to it and give that too him I normally make a big ol' pot on Sundays and it last all week! Good Luck with your puppy! I will be getting another shepherd pup as soon as the litter is born and pups are ready to go! good luck
If he doesn't want to eat plain dog food then cook up some chicken thighs or whatever is cheapest and add some rice to it and give that too him I normally make a big ol' pot on Sundays and it last all week! Good Luck with your puppy! I will be getting another shepherd pup as soon as the litter is born and pups are ready to go! good luckforgot one thing! I let my dogs chew on Nylabones...is that the type of bone you where talking about? They also have some cool bones you microwave and feed that kinda puff up...I think they are all good for the dog but do stay clear of rawhide. It can swell up in the stomach and cause bloating and can also cause choking.
To learn about the quality of different feeds, please go to www.greatdanelady.com. Linda Arndt is a nutritional expert and her advice is exemplary. I've gone through the heartbreak of dealing with skin problems and other chronic health issues in elderly pets in years past that I now know were directly related to what my dogs were eating, including Iams. It breaks my heart to think that I could have spared my beloved dogs - and cats - much discomfort if I had only known more, not to mention the expenses of veterinary care!
The other issue with Eukanuba/Iams is their reprehensible treatment of lab animals. The pet supply store I use has discontinued the Eukanuba/Iams lines, although they were very profitable, for these ethical reasons. I was quite proud of them for making that decision. Not many commercial ventures are willing to take an ethical stand that may impact the profit margin. You have to ask yourself if you can believe that a company that holds the lives of research animals so cheaply can possibly have the best interests of your pet in mind, or if it is just about the profit margin. Even if Eukanuba/Iams DID produce a quality food, personally I just could never knowingly contribute to the wealth of those who use and abuse.
"But," to quote Brett Favre's ad, "that's just me."
The other issue with Eukanuba/Iams is their reprehensible treatment of lab animals. The pet supply store I use has discontinued the Eukanuba/Iams lines, although they were very profitable, for these ethical reasons. I was quite proud of them for making that decision. Not many commercial ventures are willing to take an ethical stand that may impact the profit margin. You have to ask yourself if you can believe that a company that holds the lives of research animals so cheaply can possibly have the best interests of your pet in mind, or if it is just about the profit margin. Even if Eukanuba/Iams DID produce a quality food, personally I just could never knowingly contribute to the wealth of those who use and abuse.
"But," to quote Brett Favre's ad, "that's just me."
The pet store that I go to also sells only quality food. They don't sell Eukanuba/Iams either and the owner told me that when proctor and gamble bought out the company a lot of dogs got sick off of their product. I've never fed any of my animals their products though so I don't know first hand. He seems very knowledgable. Iams in now a supermarket pet food and is no better than purina, pedigree or the generic brands there.
Of course, people survive on junk. So can a lot of dogs. But there will probably be signs later in life that they have been fed those by-products. My bf worked in slaughter house for less than two weeks and said he the food that they throw in that bin was so rupulsive. All the tumours and pus infected meat was in there. ... 'Nuf said.
Of course, people survive on junk. So can a lot of dogs. But there will probably be signs later in life that they have been fed those by-products. My bf worked in slaughter house for less than two weeks and said he the food that they throw in that bin was so rupulsive. All the tumours and pus infected meat was in there. ... 'Nuf said.